Reposing furniture

ABSTRACT

A resting furniture which includes an adjustable unit and a support frame; the adjustable unit includes several members that are connected with each other by joint means and by a support installation, whereby the members are held in position at the support installation by means of fixing mechanisms.

O United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,877,750

Scholpp 1 Apr. 15, 1975 1 1 REPOSING FURNITURE 2,651,058 9/1953Almoslino 5/110 3,057,660 10/1962 Schneider 297/452 [751 lnventor-Werner lP 3,123,396 3/1964 Searle 297/284 x stuttgart-welllmdorf,Germany 3,170,730 2/1965 Beckman 297/452 x 3 3,230,012 1/1966 Beckman297/452 X [73] Abslgnee' gi g j g 'f l' ga 3,314,200 4/1967 Schuster5/82 x 3,446,532 5/1969 Cramer 297/313 X stungan'zuffenhausem Germany3,492,768 2 1970 Schuster 5/82 22 i 6, 1973 3,565,482 2/1971 Blodee297/284 [21] Appl. No.: 385,703

Primary ExammerFranc1s K. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig &Antonelli [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 5, 1972 Germany2238675 [57] ABSTRACT 297/284; 2233133; A resting furniture whichincludes an adjustable unit [58] Fie'ld 377 452 and a support frame; theadjustable unit includes sev- 297/458 460 110 eral members that areconnected with each other by joint means and by a support installation,whereby the ['56] References Cited members are held in position at thesupport installa- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion by means of fixingmechanisms.

1,516,811 11/1924 Edwards 297/284 30 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures /B 12 l l15 II A l I}.

PATENTEU APR 1 5 1875 REPOSING FURNITURE The present invention relatesto a resting furniture with an adjustable unit and a support frame.

So-called reclining chairs are known in the art in which the bodysupport surface is adapted to be changed into different positions forseating and reclining purposes. However. the disadvantage exists withthis type offurniture that the body support surface cannot be adaptedindividually to the body shape of persons of different size.

The aim of the present invention therefore consists essentially inproviding a piece of resting furniture. by means of which theaforementioned disadvantage is eliminated and which can be used in aversatile manner.

This is achieved according to the present invention in that theadjustable unit includes several members which are connected with eachother by way of joint means and a support installation and whereby themembers are held in position at the support installation by means offixing or clamping devices. For that purpose the joint means are mountedat the longitudinal edges of the members of the unit whereas the supportinstallation extends in a center longitudinal plane ofthe unit. Thejoint means are provided in the plane of the body support surface of theunit and the support installation extends with a parallel spacing to thejoint means. The support installation is formed by one or several rodsadapted to be bent in the longitudinal direction of the unit and adaptedto be loaded either in tension or compression or by a cable-like part.The joint means of the members are represented by a continuous band. Inthe alternative the joint means of the members are hinges. The fixingdevices are formed by clamping connections. The members are constructedband-like and are wider within the area of the joint means than withinthe area of the support installation. Additionally. the members areprovided in the center longitudinal plane of the unit with enlargementsthat are provided with apertures for the support installation.

The advantages primarily achieved by the present invention reside inthat the adjustable unit of the resting furniture can be adjustedselectively for persons with differing heights. As a result thereofthepiece of resting furniture is not only usable for purposes of restingbut also for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The members and theircooperation with the joint means and the support installation enable alarge number of positions of the unit which can be readily adjusted.

These and further objects. features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows. forpurposes of illustration only. several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention. and wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a piece of resting furniture inaccordance with the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a partial view taken in the direction ofarrow A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view. on an enlarged scale.illustrating the details of circle B of FIG. 1'.

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view. corresponding to FIG. 3 ofamodified arrangement in accordance with the present invention:

FIG. 5 is a partial view in the direction of arrow C of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrow D of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. I with adifferent configuration of the resting furniture of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. I of a furtherconfiguration ofthe resting furniture in accordance with the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the various views to designate like parts. the piece ofresting furniture generally designated by reference numeral 1 includes asupport frame generally designated by reference numeral 2 and anadjustable unit generally designated by reference numeral 3. The supportframe 2 is constituted by tubular frame members 4. 5 which are connectedtogether at 6. The tubular frame member 4 is rigidly connected with across-frame 7 (FIG. 2) whereas the tubular frame member 5 is pivotallyprovided at the crossframe 7. Additionally the tubular frame members 4and 5 are constructed displaceable in a telescopic-like manner andadapted to be fixed by devices 8 and 9 and are rigidly connected withthe adjustable unit at I0 and are rotatably connected thereto at 11.

The adjustable unit 3 includes several members I2 placed one adjacentthe other. which are connected with each other by way ofjoint means 13and a support installation 14. The members 12 include fixing or clampingdevices 15 by means of which the members 12 are retained in position atthe support mechanism 14.

The joint means I3 are provided at the longitudinal edges 16 of theadjustable unit 3 whereas the support installation 14 is arranged in acenter longitudinal plane EE thereof. Additionally the joint means I3are disposed in the plane of the body support surface F of the unit 3and the support installation 14 extends with a parallel spacing G (FIG.3) to the body support surface F. Asa result of this construction asupport of the members 12 takes place by way of the joint means 13 andthe support installation 14.

In FIG. 3 the joint means 13 are represented by a continuous band whichis made of any appropriate material. known as such.

According to FIG. 4 the joint means are constructed as hinges 17. Thefixing devices 15 are constituted by clamping connections which includea screw or bolt element l8 and a threaded bush 19. However. rapidlocking devices with toggle-type action which operate by way of adead-center point may also be provided.

The support installation 14 is constituted by a rod which is adapted tobe loaded in tension and compression and is bendable in the longitudinaldirection. However. the support installation 14 may also be constitutedby a cable or the like.

According to FIGS. 5 and 6 the members 12 are con structed band-like andare wider at the edges 16 of the unit than in the center longitudinalplane EE whereby the same can also be adjusted with respect to eachother in an extreme manner. Additionally they include enlargements 20(FIG. 6) which are provided with apertures 21 for the supportinstallation 14.

In FIG. 7 the unit is adjusted into S-shape and is carried by supports22 and 23 whereby it is necessary that the rod adapted to be stressed intension and compression is provided as support installation.

According to FIG. 8 the unit is adjusted into a straight plane and thesupports 22 and 23 engage re spectively at the members disposed at theend of the unit. For that purpose a cable suffices since the supportinstallation is loaded exclusively in tension.

While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention. it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I What I claim is:

l. A resting furniture which comprises an adjustable unit and a supportframe. characterized in that the adjustable unit includes severalmembers which are connected with each other by way of joint means andsupport means. and in that the members are held in position at thesupport means by fixing means. and in that the joint means are providedat the longitudinal edges of the unit whereas the support means extendsubstantially in the center longitudinal plane of the unit. said membersbeing spaced apart from adjacent members at.

center portions thereof.

2. A resting furniture according to claim 1. characterized in that thejoint means are provided in the plane of the body support surface of theunit and the support means extend at a distance substantially parallelto the joint means.

3. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by at least one rod means bendable in thelongitudinal direction of the unit and loadable in tension andcompression.

4. A resting furniture according to claim 3. characterized in thatseveral rod means are provided as support means.

5. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by at cable-like part.

6. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that thejoint means of the members are constituted by a continuous band.

7. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that thejoint means of the members are hinge means.

8. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that thefixing means are constituted by clamping connections.

9. A resting furniture according to claim 2. characterized in that saidmembers are constructed band-like.

10. A resting furniture according to claim 9. characterized in that saidmembers are wider within the area of the joint means than within thearea of the support means.

11. A resting furniture according to claim 10. characterized in thatsaid members are provided with enlargements in the center longitudinalplane of the unit which are provided with apertures for the supportmeans.

12. A resting furniture according to claim 11. characterized in that thefixing means are constituted by clamping connections.

13. A resting furniture according to claim. l l,' characterized in thatthe support means is constituted by at least one rod means bendable inthe longitudinal directionof the unit and loadable in tension andcompression.

14. A resting furniture according to claim 11, characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by at cable-like part.

l5.-A resting furniture according to claim 11. characterized in that thejoint means ofthe members are constituted by a continuous band.

16. A resting furniture according to claim 11. characterized in that thejoint means of the members are'hinge means.

17. A resting furniture according toclaim 1, characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by at least one rod means bendable in thelongitudinal direction of the unit and loadable in tension andcompression.

18. A resting furniture according to claim 17. characterized in thatseveral rod means are provided as support means.

19. A resting furniture according to claim [.characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by a cable-like part.

20. A resting furniture according to claim 1. characterized in that thejoint means of the members are constituted by a continuous band.

21. A resting furniture according to claim 1. charac terized in that thejoint means of the members are hinge means.

22. A resting furniture according to claim 1. characterized in that thefixing means are constituted by clamping connections.

23. A resting furniture according to claim Lcharacterized in that saidmembers are constructed band-like.

24. A resting furniture according to claim 1. characterized in that saidmembers are wider within the area of the joint means than within thearea of the support means.

25. A resting furniture according to claim 1. characterized in that saidmembers are provided with enlargements in the center longitudinal planeofthe unit which are provided with apertures for the support means.

26. A reclining furniture arrangement comprising: a plurality ofindividual members for forming a body support surface. each of saidindividual members including spaced longitudinal edges defining thewidthof the body support surface and an upper planar surface defining abody contacting surface; joint means provided at each of thelongitudinal edges of each of said individual members for joiningadjacent individual members to each other at the longitudinal edges; asupport means disposed substantially centrally of said longitudinaledges and extending parallel to said edges for supporting saidindividual members. said individual mem-. bers being spaced apart fromadjacent individual mem-. bers at center portions thereof. said supportmeans consisting of at least one additional member which is bendable inthe longitudinal direction of the body sup-. port surface and loadablein tension and compression;

and means for fixing said individual members on said at least oneadditional member.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein said individualmembers each include means for maintaining said at least one additionalmember in spaced parallel relation to the body contacting surface.

members.

30. An arrangement according to claim 28. wherein saidjoint meansconsists of individual hinge means disposed at the respectivelongitudinal edges of the indi vidual members.

1. A resting furniture which comprises an adjustable unit and a supportframe, characterized in that the adjustable unit includes severalmembers which are connected with each other by way of joint means andsupport means, and in that the members are held in position at thesupport means by fixing means, and in that the joint means are providedat the longitudinal edges of the unit whereas the support means extendsubstantially in the center longitudinal plane of the unit, said membersbeing spaced apart from adjacent members at center portions thereof. 2.A resting furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that thejoint means are provided in the plane of the body support surface of theunit and the support means extend at a distance substantially parallelto the joint means.
 3. A resting furniture according to claim 2,characterized in that the support means is constituted by at least onerod means bendable in the longitudinal direction of the unit andloadable in tension and compression.
 4. A resting furniture according toclaim 3, characterized in that several rod means are provided as supportmeans.
 5. A resting furniture according to claim 2, characterized inthat the support means is constituted by a cable-like part.
 6. A restingfurniture according to claim 2, characterized in that the joint means ofthe members are constituted by a continuous band.
 7. A resting furnitureaccording to claim 2, characterized in that the joint means of themembers are hinge means.
 8. A resting furniture according to claim 2,characterized in that the fixing means are constituted by clampingconnections.
 9. A resting furniture according to claim 2, characterizedin that said members are constructed band-like.
 10. A resting furnitureaccording to claim 9, characterized in that said members are widerwithin the area of the joint means than within the area of the supportmeans.
 11. A resting furniture according to claim 10, characterized inthat said members are provided with enlargements in the centerlongitudinal plane of the unit which are provided with apertures for thesupport means.
 12. A resting furniture according to claim 11,characterized in that the fixing means are constituted by clampingconnections.
 13. A resting furniture according to claim 11,characterized in that the support means is constituted by at least onerod means bendable in the longitudinal direction of the unit andloadable in tension and compression.
 14. A resting furniture accordingto claim 11, characterized in that the support means is constituted by acable-like part.
 15. A resting furniture according to claim 11,characterized in that the joint means of the members are constituted bya continuous band.
 16. A resting furniture according to claim 11,characterized in that the joint means of the members are hinge means.17. A resting furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by at least one rod means bendable in thelongitudinal direction of the unit and loadable in tension andcompression.
 18. A resting furniture according to claim 17,characterized in that several rod means are provided as support means.19. A resting furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that thesupport means is constituted by a cable-like part.
 20. A restingfurniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint means ofthe members are constituted by a continuous band.
 21. A restingfurniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint means ofthe members are hinge means.
 22. A resting furniture according to claim1, characterized in that the fixing means are constituted by clampingconnections.
 23. A resting furniture according to claim 1, characterizedin that said members are constructed band-like.
 24. A resting furnitureaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said members are widerwithin the area of the joint means than within the area of the supportmeans.
 25. A resting furniture according to claim 1, characterized inthat said members are provided with enlargements in the centerlongitudinal plane of the unit which are provided with apertures for thesupport means.
 26. A reclining furniture arrangement comprising: aplurality of individual members for forming a body support surface, eachof said individual members including spaced longitudinal edges definingthe width of the body support surface and an upper planar surfacedefining a body contacting surface; joint means provided at each of thelongitudinal edges of each of said individual members for joiningadjacent individual members to each other at the longitudinal edges; asupport means disposed substantially centrally of said longitudinaledges and extending parallel to said edges for supporting saidindividual members, said individual members being spaced apart fromadjacent individual members at center portions thereof, said supportmeans consisting of at least one additional member which is bendable inthe longitudinal direction of the body support surface and loadable intension and compression; and means for fixing said individual members onsaid at least one additional member.
 27. An arrangement according toclaim 26, wherein said individual members each include means formaintaining said at least one additional member in spaced parallelrelation to the body contacting surface.
 28. An arrangement according toclaim 27, wherein said joint means are disposed in the plane of saidbody contacting surface.
 29. An arrangement according to claim 28,wherein said joint means consists of a continuous band provided at therespective longitudinal edges of the individual members.
 30. Anarrangement according to claim 28, wherein said joint means consists ofindividual hinge means disposed at the respective longitudinal edges ofthe individual members.